C_H_2015_02_

Production boats nowadays

are becoming more accessible

to the average person. Due to

the confluence of many factors

sailing now shares its unique

characteristics with more and

more people.

Simple manufacturing economics

tells you if a boat bulder builds more

of a product it reaches a point where

economies of scale kick in. This allows

the company the opportunity to add or

alter its offerings to reach more of the

market by differentiating itself from

the opposition or by providing cheaper

product or even by reaching particular

markets with more specific product.

A good example of this is the growth

of racer/cruiser yachts, where owners

can buy a yacht with good hull speed

but it is also quite comfortable down

below to take the boat cruising as well.

The major factor in play here is in

the construction materials. Previous

cruising hulls for ocean travel were

built strong and sturdy and, as a result,

heavy. But modern materials mean not

only can a boat be built just as strong

but it is also much lighter and a lot

cheaper to mass produce.

Another two factors come into play with

this: modern hull shape and deck layouts.

In the racing scene of three decades

ago, a racing hull was still designed under

the International Offshore Rule (IOR).

Now I don't want to upset anyone, there

are plenty of old IOR hulls cruising around

the world in perfectly good condition

and sailability but, in the main, these

hulls were not conducive to gentle easy

cruising. Unless pounding upwind in a

blow was your bag. It is interesting to

note that the IOR rule originated from the

Cruising Club of America so cruisers and

racers could compete on a level footing.

But once the IOR rule died out in

the mid-90s there came a range of one

design, easily sailed hulls that began to

dominate the sailing world.

The Farr 40 is a perfect example,

its hulls are fast both upwind and

downwind yet quite easy to steer and

handle. Since the hulls were slippery

the sailplan could be reduced without

restricting maximum speed.

With a reduced sailplan, deck layouts

could be reconfigured due to lighter loads

on the equipment.

It did not take long for cruising

production boat companies to cotton

on that these hull shapes could be

transferred to provide an easier sea

motion for cruising.

As mentioned the lighter loads on

the deck equipment: sheets, halyards,

rigging, winches et al even deck

strengthening, allowed lighter personnel

to sail the boats; i.e. women and children.

So two disparate entities that decades

ago was unheard of, except in a few cases,

could now be united in a common joy:

cruising. A family could now buy one boat

at a relatively inexpensive price: those that

wished to race could easily race; those

that wished to cruise could step onboard

the same boat and travel safely, easily and

sleep soundly on a sea-kindly hull.

Now the present day scenario is here.

Production cruising boats can win

Sydney to Hobarts, fast planing hulls

are being bought by older gentleman to

race fast but also go cruising with the

missus. Depending on your preferences

there is a hull size, shape, interior layout

and unlimited options to suit anybody

who wishes to go sailing.

As those economies of scale kick in

then more options can be added: air

conditioning, watermakers, gen sets all

to make the cruising experience more

palatable to even the most jaded.

Where does this lead? To more families

going sailing and sailing long distances.

This February issue of CH sees

a couple of articles showing how

sailing with young kids, or even pets,

is becoming more and more popular.

Proper planning (isn't that half the fun?),

preparation and guidance can see young

children gain an education like no other.

Sometimes things do go wrong, it is

the inherent risk we always run when

venturing out into the open briny. But

with so many families taking off over the

horizon, the strength of the boats being

built nowadays is translating into less and

less disasters per capita than before.

For us more seasoned salts, it can be

incredibly annoying and downright

dangerous having to deal with novices

on the water sometimes, but they are

still entitled to be there. Is it a matter

for authorities to ensure that boat

owners are better prepared? Some

may say "definitely", but that may lead

to greater bureaucracy and increased

government control.

And that is a subject for another month!

4 Februar y 2015

from the helm

http://www.mysailing.com.au

Experience of a lifetime